Checking In

You now live in a foreign country with different views, customs, currency and rules. Remember, you are a guest of Japan and an ambassador of the U.S.

Check In
Report to your duty station.

Okinawa Living
Pick up a FREE copy of Okinawa Living magazine, a monthly guide to culture, food, tours, and entertainment on island. They are available at MCCS facilities, base exchanges, and commissaries.

Newcomers’ Orientation
All new accompanied and unaccompanied (E6 and above) arrivals are required to attend Newcomers’ Orientation. The program runs every Wednesday from 8a.m. to 12:30p.m. and includes cultural briefings and presentations by a multitude of organizations on facilities and activities around Okinawa. Newcomers’ Orientation attendance is mandatory prior to issuance of a POV license. The Children, Youth, & Teen Program offers free child care during the orientation on a space available basis. You must have the child’s current shot record and pre-register by calling 645-4117. To sign up or make reservations for bus transportation to Newcomers’ Orientation, call the Personal Services Center at 645-8395.

Driver’s License and Car
Pick up a driving manual at Bldg. 5831 on Camp Foster at 645-3369. Study the manual, then take your driver’s license test. Japanese Compulsory Insurance (JCI and American Insurance) is available from ACE and AIU.

Shoppette and Commissary
Have your sponsor show you to the shoppettes. commissaries, and exchanges.

Housing
All off-base housing is inspected by the Military Housing Office on Kadena Air Base. When renting off-base houses or apartments, you will need to pay one month’s rent as a deposit as well as the first month’s rent. You will also be charged a finder’s fee by the agency. Try to find housing with a phone line included in the rental. Make sure there is a place to park your cars off the street, and check with your housing office to be sure extra fees aren’t involved. Electricity is expensive, and Okinawa gets very hot in the summer, so be sure to check the air conditioning.

Medical
The U.S. Naval Hospital is located on Camp Lester. Medical and dental clinics are located on Camps Courtney, Foster, Kinser, MCAS Futenma, and Kadena Air Base.

Loan Locker
Call your base Personal Services Center to find out what household items are available from the Loan Locker. Goods may be borrowed with a copy of your orders.

Banking
Camps Foster, Kinser, Courtney, Hansen and Schwab have Navy Federal Credit Union and Community Bank branch offices. Kadena AB has a Community Bank and a Pentagon Federal Credit Union. You can exchange yen at Community Bank, Japanese banks, and at select Jusco and San A department stores equipped with exchange machines, The primary Japanese banks are: Okinawa Ginko, Bank of the Ryukyus, and Kaiho Bank.

Post Office Box
If you are accompanied and your sponsor did not get a P.O. box, bring a copy of your orders to your camp’s post office.

Schools
The active-duty parent must register children in school. If children are going to ride the bus, a parent must register for bus duty at the Bus Registration Office on Camp Foster.

Consulate General
The mission of the United States Consulate General Naha is to promote and protect American interests in the Prefecture of Okinawa. The consulate provides a variety of passport services, including renewal, replacement, and change of name. Other services include visas and birth records. The consulate website (http://naha. usconsulate.gov) provides guidance on services, important notices, local news regarding U.S. policies and issues, and a comprehensive guide on voting absentee.